Dec 13, 2004

Humble respects to M.S.Subbulakshmi. However she will be remembered through
her voice as long as people play staples such as the "Suprabhaatam".

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On DD Tamil, another legend. D.K.Pattamal on her life, her playback singing,
intense patriotism, humility & modesty, sorrow at the nation's condition and the wish
to sing till her last breath.

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Sawai Gandharva is the place to be in Pune if you are a (Hindustani) Classical
music devotee. Bhimsen Joshi ends the 3 day programme today.
Nikhil, who's been to all sessions, says it
was quite enjoyable. I still don't have the guts or knowledge to last through them,
for my musical knowledge is still extremely infantile. Perhaps next year. I did attend
a Shivkumar Sharma concert a month ago.

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December is also the season for the "Marghazi" Carnatic music season in Madras. I had
been (reluctantly) dragged to several "kutcheris" as a child - it is a veritable feast
if you're an enthusiast. The mixture of free & "in-demand" and the range of virtuosos
to nervous debutants must be quite satisfying to all the public. The most memorable of
the ones I had attended a decade ago were the ones by Maharajapuram Santhanam
and by Dr. Yesudas (the latter was absolutely superb).